It’s the holiday season! Gatherings with friends and family are often centered around delicious (and high calorie) food traditions and drinking more than usual. New Year’s Resolutions don’t start yet, so you can splurge on food, right? Nope! Try using some of these tips, so you can avoid unwanted holiday weight gain.
- Plan your week. Family get-togethers, cocktails with mom friends, work parties…the list goes on and on. On Sunday, look at your schedule for the week and then “budget your calories.” Decide when you want to eat or drink a little more and then don’t eat or drink too much at the other events. Have a salad for lunch when you know you will be going to a party that evening.
- Be active. If you exercise regularly, keep it up! Don’t make excuses about being too busy. Change some of the activities with your family, too: instead of watching the half-time show of the Lions’ game on Thanksgiving, go outside and toss the football with your kids. Park in the back of the parking lot at the mall (it may not be voluntary anyway!). All of the extra movement will help avoid holiday weight gain.
- Don’t fill up on appetizers. Appetizers are tempting especially if you’re hungry. Usually there is a vegetable platter at parties (you could always bring one, as well!), so make half of your plate vegetables and limit the dip. Don’t go up for seconds (unless it’s for more veggies). And don’t stand and socialize by the food; it’s too tempting to graze.
- Watch your alcohol consumption. There are a lot of empty calories in alcohol (and other sugary drinks). Be mindful of this. Try alternating a glass of wine and sparkling water (you can still enjoy it in your wine glass!). This will cut the calories in half. Or limit yourself to two drinks at the party or seven drinks all week. Even small changes will help you avoid holiday weight gain.
- Don’t taste everything. You’re consuming calories when you’re licking the bowl after making cookies, sampling the mashed potatoes, and sneaking some mixed nuts before you put the bowl out for your party. Stop it! An extra hundred calories here and there adds up! Wait to eat something until you’re consciously wanting it, and you’ll enjoy it more. Always ask yourself, “Is this worth the calories?” If it is, savor a modest portion size.
- Use a buddy this month for accountability. Spouse, friend, mom, or coworker. Does someone else want to stay on track over the holidays? Team up with them! Send a text to remind them of your goals (it will reinforce them for you, too). Make a double recipe of a healthy meal and swap it with them (saves time and calories). It’s fun to have a buddy, and it will help you push through when you’re tempted to overindulge yourself.
This time of year is great to celebrate and enjoy your family and friends. It doesn’t mean that you have a free pass to eat and drink everything that looks good though. By using some of these tips to avoid holiday weight gain, you’ll avoid putting on an extra five or seven pounds during the season. Your body will thank you for it. Cheers and happy holidays!
Once the new year hits, check out this article for some great ideas for New Year’s Resolutions for moms.
